Intercession

Chapter 1 Examples from the Bible [i]

It seems to be those with a close relationship to God, who listened and were obedient and who were aware of his love and holiness who are able to intercede. Often it was the prophets who interceded, who were the watchmen[ii] on the wall for they were the ones who could "see", who heard from the Lord.

Abraham [1]
Abraham was called the friend of God.[iii] Within that relationship God allows Abraham to intercede for Lot and for Sodom.[iv] Abraham is both bold and persistent as he negotiates with God, such prayer is also described as importunate prayer.[v]

Moses [2]
God's call to Moses was not specifically to be an intercessor, rather it was to lead the Israelites out of captivity into the promised land. Moses needed to grow into a special relationship with God. He spent forty years in the desert of Midian[vi] before he was receptive to God's voice in the burning bush,[vii] later he regularly met face to face with God. [viii] God equipped him for the work giving him both miracles and words[ix]

In the negotiations with Pharaoh it was necessary for Moses to intercede for him. Moses watched God slowly humble Pharaoh, on the third occasion the words "so you may know that the earth is the Lord's". were included in Moses’ prayer. It was training ground in the fear and awe of the Lord, the result had to be seen to glorify God. Moses learned boldness, persistence and obedience, but this was God's work, it required submission and humility.[x] He had great faith in God[xi] but even so he was required to act when instructed. [xii]

We recognise him as an intercessor as he cries out for the people when they complain[xiii], when he holds up his arms during the battle with the Amalekites[xiv] and when he would even pay with own life[xv] after they disobeyed the word of the Lord and made the golden calf.

He knew what it was to listen to the Lord and to be obedient, and also the need to sing God's praises[xvi] and note especially a recognition of God's unfailing love. This all intercessors must acknowledge.

David [3]
David too was a man of many parts but again it was because of his close relationship with God that he was able to intercede. David is anointed to be king some ten years before he reigns. During that time he has a difficult time living as a fugitive and learning how God looks at the situation. God no longer blesses Saul; the Spirit has left him and yet David respects Saul and will not harm the Lord's anointed. He kills Goliath trusting in the strength of God, he plays the lyre to drive away the evil spirit that afflicted Saul. God is clearly with him, the Psalms show us that he dares to pray for victory, for vindication in the face of his enemies. Over and over again he pours out his heart and cries for help. He is a great encouragement because after the most appalling sin, he knows God's love enough to confess.[xvii] God punishes but does not cast him out. David recognises God in Nathan, on this occasion he had failed to enquire of the Lord what he should do. He knows that God is just and merciful and allows others to minister to him.

Paul [4]
Paul, sought to imitate Christ and urges us to follow his example.[xviii] His letters show us his lifestyle and his desires for both himself[xix] and the church[xx]. So we see a passionate,[xxi] enthusiastic but humble man, so close to God that he would give his life for us to know God in this same way[xxii]. But he started a proud Jew, a Roman citizen and scholar; God humbles him and teaches him and he stands in awe of God. He has to give all and instruct his disciples in the same path, acknowledging the importance of man's weakness in order to allow God's power to operate in him[xxiii]. In fact it is in weakness that the Holy Spirit can pray through us in true intercession[xxiv] he actually instructs us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions[xxv]. He also teaches on the involvement of our spirits as well as the Holy Spirit[xxvi].

He speaks of the fruit and gifts of the Spirit with the authority of one who has received them, he shows us the walk of holiness, the way of the cross.[xxvii] This understanding shows in his own prayers, he desires an understanding of love and obedience for us[xxviii] His prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 speaks of the love that is the true language of intercessory prayer.

Prayer was very important to him and we have exhortations to persevere in prayer[xxix]. By living in real hope, another major quality joy shines through even in adversity, he encourages others to be joyful[xxx]. His prayers and teaching are to bring the Gentile world into the Kingdom but as a living sacrifice[xxxi] for God's purposes. This points to holiness as again we are called to imitate Christ, Paul's prayer was for our perfection[xxxii].

John [5]
John is seen as a spiritual writer[xxxiii] because of his understanding of the ministry of Jesus but there is no reference to him as an intercessor. We draw on his writings for understanding of love and obedience[xxxiv] which is the foundation of our relationship with God. John 15, the chapter on our abiding in the Vine is the way we should pray, and chapter 14 sets the scene for our relationship with God. From them we learn of our dependence on God, - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. John records Jesus’ own prayer[xxxv] thereby teaching us how to pray. He says much about asking,[xxxvi] and gives assurance of answered prayer if we ask in his name. Here I think we might find the distinction between petition and intercession as we let go of our pleadings and allow the Holy Spirit to reign, then Jesus and his name become indistinguishable. 1 John 5:14-15 speaks of confidence in approaching God, and our certainty of being heard, these are foundation stones for intercession.

Further powerful teaching on love is found in John's first letter especially chapter 3; again giving us cause to intercede for others.

The author of Revelation uses the expression "in the Spirit". [xxxvii] This must indicate a resting in the Lord in a state of prayer, it is the way that Paul exhorts us to pray[xxxviii] . Today intercessors might use this expression to mean a closeness to God, even to be transported to a place of vision or insight. John however is privileged to see Jesus and falls because he cannot stand in the presence [xxxix].

[1] Abraham is chosen because he was the father to whom the promise of salvation was given.
[2] Moses is the leader who communicates God’s law to the Israelites.
[3] David is chosen because he is not only an important member of the direct lineage to Christ but through his Psalms a spiritual teacher for his time and today.
[4] Paul is in a similar position to Moses in that he communicates God teaching which replaced the law to the Gentiles.
[5] John is an important spiritual teacher on love and reaching to God.

[i] Because these are all well known examples I am giving only a short note on each, longer passages are written on lesser known characters of later centuries.
[ii]     e.g. Ezek 33:7; Hosea 9:8
[iii]     James 2:2
[iv]     Gen 18:17-33
[v]     see our Lord’s parable Luke 18 1-8
[vi]     Acts 7:30
[vii]     Exo 3
[viii]     Exo 33:11
[ix]     Exo 4:11, 15 , 17
[x]    Num 12:3
[xi]   Exo 14:13-14
[xii]   for example: "Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go   through the sea on dry ground."
[xiii]   e.g.Exo 15:25; Num 14
[xiv]   e.g.Exo 17:8-16
[xv]   Exo 32:32
[xvi]   Exo 15
[xvii]   Psa 51
[xviii]   1 Cor 4:16, Eph 5:1, Phil 3:17     1 Thess:1:16, 2:14
[xix]   e.g. Phil 3:10-17
[xx]   Eph.3:16-19
[xxi]   Rom 10:1
[xxii]   Acts 20:19,24
[xxiii]   2Cor 13:9
[xxiv]   Rom 8:26,27
[xxv]   Eph 6:18
[xxvi]   1 Cor 14:14-15
[xxvii]   e.g.Gal.2:20, Phil 3:10-11
[xxviii]   Phil 1:9
[xxix]   Rom 12:12
[xxx]   e.g. Phil 1:4;   3:1; 4:4
[xxxi]   Rom 12:1-2
[xxxii]   2 Cor 13:9, Col 1:9-14,22
[xxxiii]   Although not definitely established I am assuming that the writer of the Gospel, the three letters and Revelation is    the Apostle John.     In all of these works the author is close to God and has the characteristics of an Intercessor.
[xxxiv]   e.g. John 14
[xxxv]   John 17
[xxxvi]   chapters 14-16
[xxxvii]   Rev 1:10, 4:2, 17:3, 21:10
[xxxviii]   Ephesians 6:18
[xxxix]   Rev.1:17)